HOLIDAYS
HOLIDAYS
Escape the pace of everyday life and host a Night in Havana theme party with a cool Cuban style. Turn up the heat Ricky Ricardo-style with a Conga Drum Stage and then chill out in a Cigar Lounge. Sip Mojitos and enjoy bocaditas of Latin cuisine to give guests a true taste of Cuba.
Visit our Theme Party page for more ideas.
Visit our Theme Party page for more ideas.
Recipe and Notes Courtesy of Cocina Cubana Club & Taste of Cuba.
I guess one of the most beloved of chicken dishes in Cuba, Arroz con Pollo can make any meal special. The rice for this dish is short-grained Valencia-style rice, the same as used for Paella, another of the wonderful Spanish dishes that have found a home in many of the Latin American Countries. If you cannot find it in your area, the Italian Arborio rice will be a good substitute.
Unlike Paella, saffron is not traditionally used in Arroz con Pollo, although some people do. Instead they use Annatto Oil, to give the yellow coloring expected in this dish. Sometimes you can find yellow rice already packaged.
I guess one of the most beloved of chicken dishes in Cuba, Arroz con Pollo can make any meal special. The rice for this dish is short-grained Valencia-style rice, the same as used for Paella, another of the wonderful Spanish dishes that have found a home in many of the Latin American Countries. If you cannot find it in your area, the Italian Arborio rice will be a good substitute.
Unlike Paella, saffron is not traditionally used in Arroz con Pollo, although some people do. Instead they use Annatto Oil, to give the yellow coloring expected in this dish. Sometimes you can find yellow rice already packaged.
Ingredients
- 1 large chicken, about 4 pounds, cut into 8 pieces.
- 1 Tsp dried oregano
- 1 Tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 Tsp freshly ground white pepper
- 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar Sofrito and broth:
- 2 Tbsp Annatto oil or olive oil
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 1 small red bell pepper, cored, seeded and finely chopped
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 small tomato, seeded and diced
- 3 cups water
- 1 Cup dry white wine
- 1-1/2 cups beer
- 1/2 Tsp annatto seeds, or 1/4
- 1 Tbsp tomato paste
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
- 1 lb Valencia or Arborio rice
- Sliced red pimientos for garnish
- Can of green peas (Petit Pois) for garnish
Steps
- Wash the chicken and blot dry with paper towels. Mix the oregano, cumin, white pepper and vinegar in a large glass bowl. Add the chicken, turning the pieces to cover with the mixture. Let marinate at least 15 minutes.
- Heat the Annatto or olive oil in a large heatproof casserole (**) Brown the chicken pieces all over, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a platter and pour out all but 2 tablespoons of the fat.
- For sofrito: Add the onion, bell pepper and garlic to the oil in the casserole, cook over medium heat until soft but do not brown, about 1 or 2 minutes. Add the tomato and cook for one more minute. Return the chicken to the casserole with the sofrito and cook for about 1 or 2 more minutes.
- Add the water, wine and beer(*), saffron (if you use it instead of annatto oil), tomato paste and salt and pepper. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, cover and simmer for about 30 minutes. While the chicken is cooking, place annato seeds in small saucepan with 1/4 cup of the chicken cooking liquid. Simmer for about 5 minutes. Strain mixture back into the chicken.
- To finish the dish: thoroughly wash rice swishing with your hands, and drain off the water. Continue doing this until water runs clear.
- Bring chicken mixture to a boil, stir in the washed rice, reduce heat, cover and simmer until the rice is tender, about 20 to 25 minutes. If it starts to dry out and rice is still al dente, add more liquid. If it gets too soupy, uncover during the last 10 or 15 minutes of cooking.
- Just before it is done, stir in half of the petit pois and pimientos. Garnish with the rest.
- (*) I use only the beer, adjusting the quantity to the total needed for cooking. Beer gives it a nice tangy flavor.
- (**)I have a clay paella dish which I use for Arroz con Pollo, Paella and other similar dishes. You can purchase them in many Latino markets.
Recipe and Notes Courtesy of Taste of Cuba.
There are many variations on the Cuban Sandwich. On a traditional Cuban, there should not be any mayonnaise, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers or lettuce. Although you can use these to your own liking, you will find the authentic traditional recipe below.
The medianoche (my personal favorite) sandwich is sometimes served cold, as its name implies you might eat it very late as a midnight snack or coming back from dancing or a movie. Some make the medianoche smaller, with a sweeter variety of yellow egg bread (similar to Jewish Challah bread). In making a good Cuban sandwich, remember this: the Roast Pork is what will make the sandwich, so you can never leave it out.
There are many variations on the Cuban Sandwich. On a traditional Cuban, there should not be any mayonnaise, tomatoes, onions, bell peppers or lettuce. Although you can use these to your own liking, you will find the authentic traditional recipe below.
The medianoche (my personal favorite) sandwich is sometimes served cold, as its name implies you might eat it very late as a midnight snack or coming back from dancing or a movie. Some make the medianoche smaller, with a sweeter variety of yellow egg bread (similar to Jewish Challah bread). In making a good Cuban sandwich, remember this: the Roast Pork is what will make the sandwich, so you can never leave it out.
Ingredients
- 3 thin slices of ham
- 3 thin slices roast pork hot or cold (I use hot, slow roasted pork)
- 3 thin slices of Swiss cheese
- 3 or 4 slices of pickles
- 1/3 cut Cuban bread hard crust (or French bread)
Steps
- You should be using fresh, crusty Cuban bread, but you can always use a 12" loaf of French bread cut in half. Slice the bread open face so that both halves are still barely connected and spread mustard on both halves. Add the ham, and then the roasted pork. When in a hurry, you can use one whole piece of roasted pork. Add your Swiss cheese and then a few pickle slices.
- Make sure to spray your sandwich press with a little butter flavored Pam, or for a tastier sandwich you can brush some softened butter on the outside of the bread. Place the sandwich in a Cuban sandwich press and press down until the cheese is melted and the bread is slightly hard to the touch. For those of you without a press, you can also place the sandwich in a hot skillet and press down on it with a heavy kitchen object, maybe a baking pan (some, believe it or not, use a brick wrapped in tin foil when nothing else is available).
- For years I've used a Gaunaurd sandwich maker from the Cuban Food Market, it has removable plates and is easy to clean. Never use a panini grill, they simply don't heat sandwiches evenly and a real Cuban Sandwich doesn't have little lines grilled into it. When finished, slice the sandwich diagonally across the middle so that you have two triangle shaped wedges. Enjoy!
- Jeanne's Note: Slice sandwich diagonally, every 2 inches for smaller appetizer portions. Cuban bread is available at Cuban Food Market.
Refreshing mint, lime and rum.
Ingredients
- Juice of 1 lime
- 5 mint leaves
- 1 oz. simple syrup
- 2 oz. light rum, infused with Pineapple or Banana
- Club Soda
Steps
- Add juice, mint, and syrup into a tall glass.
- Crush mint using the back of a spoon or a muddler.
- Fill glass with crushed ice and add rum.
- Fill remainder of glass with club soda and stir. Garnish with a mint sprig.
Simple Syrup is basically just liquid sugar - but is perfect for cocktails, iced tea, and lemonade - or other cold drinks where granular sugar won't dissolve.
Ingredients
- Sugar and water
Steps
- combine equal amounts of sugar and water in a small saucepan. Heat until boiling and sugar has dissolved. Cool and transfer into a cruet or bottle.
Ways to Serve Your Food In Cuban Style
- Serve Cuban food on a buffet with bocaditas (small plates), which are the perfect size for cocktail tables.
- Match the look of the food buffet to the overall party décor by using a white tablecloth and tropical potted plants on the tabletop.
- Put food on glass or white platters that rest on glass block risers to create different levels.
More Theme Parties to Try:
Invite Your Friends With E-Vites! Plan Your Party with Celebrations today!
From building your own Conga Drum Stage to a Cocktail Table, these additions to your décor will really amaze your guests!
Conga Drum Stage
Conga Drum Stage
- Choose an open space at the party to create a drum stage and dance area.
- Set up the stage in front of a wall or fence with an electrical outlet nearby.
- Hang Cuban posters on the wall for an authentic atmosphere.
- Define the sides of the stage by placing 2 large tropical plants about 5 feet in front of the wall and 10 feet apart.
- Add a colorful floor light that rotates or strobes at the base of each plant pot. Tape down or mask light cords making them safe for guests.
- Set up a deejay stand or music player with a selection of Cuban tunes near the stage.
- Rent or buy Conga drums, bongos and hand percussion instruments to place on the stage and invite guests to play along with the music.
- Designate the area in front of the stage for dancing.
- Arrange 30" round cocktail tables and chairs around the dance area.
- Dress the tables with crisp white cloths.
- Keep the tabletop simple by laying a flat tropical leaf in the center and placing a couple of white votive candles in glass holders on top of the leaf.
Nothing's more Cuban than a Cigar Lounge. Create one at your party to surprise and delight your guests!
- Purchase a selection of Cuban cigars for guests to sample.
- Research cigar types popular with celebrities or politicos by looking in magazines like Cigar Aficionado or online.
- Post a cigar menu that lists the nuances of each cigar and any fun celebrity facts.
- Offer accoutrement on side tables such as ashtrays, matches and cigar clippers.
- Display cigars in a humidor, cigar boxes, or create vintage "upright" containers.
There are a number of easy party games to play with a Cuban flair, such as dominoes or cards.
Steps
- Keep guests entertained by setting out dominos on side tables.
- Add to the fun with a Cubilete Dice Game and a book on how to play it.
- Toss in some Spanish playing cards to round out the Cuban games.
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